This is by far the most photo-packed “Looking back” post. Continue at your bandwidth’s risk.

1st August 2011, Monday

Kath said to me (while she was closing our front door), “Come and have a look!”
Have you ever seen such a contraption? I don’t even know what it’s called – basically it goes around the tree, opens up like an upside down umbrella and shakes the trees of its dry leaves. Save some time raking them at the side of the street. But hey! Never seen them in operation before. This is a first.

3rd August 2011, Wednesday

Honey haul from Arataki.
Bumped into HollyD there and whose baby is still unwilling to say “Hello world!” Apparently Arataki is her daughter’s favourite place.

5th August 2011, Friday

First ACC claim.
My toe looked a bit swollen yesterday and it hurts a little when I put pressure on it. I’ve had this pain before but I never bothered checking my toes because I put the pain down to occupational hazard – being on my feet for too long in closed-toe shoes. It was definitely swollen yesterday (so glad I took a photo) but of course it looked like nothing is wrong with it today when I went to see David. So I showed him the photo I took yesterday…

6th August 2011, Saturday

Jantina got me a big cookie from Westerman’s. Look at the size of that choc chip cookie!
We were talking about BK’s doughnuts for breakfast and was so disappointed when she went there and BK was closed for their renovation.

9th August 2011, Tuesday

Went for my appointment at the orthodontist today and guess what? Dual colour ligatures – oooo!

I was craving, really. The next best thing? Doughnuts from Countdown.
Not as soft, fluffy as I’d imagined them to be but hey! Beggars can’t be choosers.

13th August 2011, Saturday

Can you guess which eye is more “made-up”?

We had Samantha’s farewell dinner at Off the Track – more photos here. Next time? Don’t order any starters (that you don’t intend to share – like piggy me) because you won’t be able to finish everything.

15th August 2011, Monday

Hmmm…so what does that mean? Q6-8H?

18th August 2011, Thursday
My holiday semi-starts here, flying off to Whangarei for the wedding preparation

20th August 2011, Saturday
LiMay and Grant gets hitched today!

21st August 2011, Sunday
Now, this would be the start of my holiday…

22nd August 2011, Monday
This is surreal – I’m back in Malaysia.

Finally got to taste my 姐’s cupcakes! This is the baby hummingbirds.
She is based in Seremban, so you can place your orders through her website here.

Yes, hummingbird cupcakes.

Sprinkles make for beautiful finishing touches.

My first meal at JJKwan’s place consists of Korean instant noodles!

Sitting in the new car!

So happy to see this message! It means my microSIM has been activated and I am back online!

The downside to being back (just for the initial few days), swollen feet! Is it due to travel? Humidity? Change in weather?
*shrugs*

23rd August 2011, Tuesday
Today is my dad’s 60th birthday. I missed out on his celebration last Saturday so today I thought of taking him out for breakfast. Since it was his birthday, I let it slide when he poked fun of me in front of his friends whom we invited along (I wasn’t impressed but I wasn’t going to be angry at him…”give face”).

We went all the way to Nilai for 點心 because the birthday boy insist that Seremban has no good 點心 place…

My favourite porridge – funny how I never liked century egg and now I CRAVE for the porridge.

Your regular picks.

Those shiny mini buns are the 天下第一包 – they are nice as it’s not made out of your regular bun (it’s like those bakery “egg buns”), but as for the name…uhm, a bit of an oversell.

Fluffy egg tarts.

The 點心 was nice but honestly, I don’t think it’s that much better than MinKok – you’re talking to someone who has been deprived of any kind of 點心 in the past year!

After dinner, I got some bb cupcakes from 姐 as dad’s birthday “cake” – he seems to like the hummingbird ones.

I’m surprised that the lamp still works – after being out of action for…2002? Same bulb, too!

24th August 2011, Wednesday

客家麵 for breakfast!

經濟米粉 and 糖水 for dinner.

25th August 2011, Thursday

Thanks to Winne for helping me out even though she was busy at work!

Lunch with my 姐 at PapaRich – also got her to help out with some decorating ideas.

Nasi Lemak – ah!

26th August 2011, Friday

Hokkien noodles.
Gone were the days that a good plate of “黑麵” can only be found when we go to PJ.

I was craving for vegetables but for this to cost more than my plate of noodles (which is an all-in-one meal on its own) is silly!

Ugh! This is something I do NOT miss – traffic jams. More importantly, why is it all jammed up at this time of the night in Seremban?!

27th August 2011, Saturday

Can’t believe I’m here to squeeze with the Raya crowd.

Okay, start with a cuppa first.

The material for this plum coach is very plushy. Like the colour, too!

Meatballs anyone?

I just dropped my naked iPheR on the edge of this on the floor.
*cries!*
No cracks. Phew!

Getting to KL was still okay as I arrived before noon but it took me ONE hour to get from Nilai to Seremban. Should’ve stayed on the highway instead of going off track and take up the same time (or even more!).

Everything looks brown and they are probably bad for my throat – but I am blessed that dad made dinner for me.

Oh! Missed the parcel!

Went out for my first mamak session since I got back – 10pm meet up. That is SOOO late.

Winne’s very unique way of sitting…

Winne and FeR. Winne was sooooo kind to me to rip up the roti canai, so I could pick on the pieces.

28th August 2011, Sunday
I think I need to go shop for track pants – haven’t got any for baptism next week. Jeans would be too heavy when soaked. It was a speedy “baptism class” today lead by EstherTC.

Pleasantly surprised to find that I can get bubble tea from Jusco now!

29th August 2011, Monday

Senawang’s 老鼠粉 for breakfast – so that I can also go pick up my parcel.
Didn’t know that PosLaju has moved to a nook in Senaway so I am thankful dad took me there.

Hello Monkau#1!!! It’s been a while since I last saw you. Hope you’ve been good for JJKwan!

Seeing 姐 in action – orchestrating in her kitchen.

You know it’s bad when I voluntarily take medication. The cough is driving me nuts! Hoping the 15mg of pholcodeine would do the trick.

30th August 2011, Tuesday

Lunch at 415pm in peaceful solitude – how I miss you, Zinger burger (Malaysia)!

It doesn’t look that great but it’s pretty good – and you can’t find it in NZ!

My sore throat has progressed into a cough…this shall be known as The Cough of 2011
*dies coughing*

31st August 2011, Wednesday
Selamat Merdeka, Malaysia!!!

Excited with my 包!!!

This is the kind of 點心 that I miss – by the road, with good company of friends.

Nicole drove to Seremban to meet me, too. It was nice to catch up, despite finding out that it’s been a tough year for the both of us. I do wish you well! Thanks for making the time to come see me.

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I’m at week 5. Where did all my time go???

I refuse to accept that I have to go back to work soon. Sad to think of it. I can’t remember how the dispensary looks like.

Yes, yes. I should enjoy my remaining 1.5 weeks of holiday without panicking about it ending yet…but I just can’t ignore the fact I’m flying out next Sunday.

*hyperventilates*

I have not bought any souvenirs or gifts for friends in NZ. I feel a bit stink but truly, for those who know, I didn’t have time because I was busy running personal errands (not like I was sitting around doing nothing and poof! 4.5 weeks were gone…more like I can’t believe I’ve spent all that time “working”).

Hmmm what’s a “worthy” souvenir from Malaysia that reflects my 6 weeks holiday here?

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Yup! Great start to my Holiday of 2011!
21st August 2011, Sunday. Not looking forward to the long transit in CHC though.

Breakfast is like a lunch set!

When the newly weds came back home about 11am or so, we were taken to the paddock by the side of their house to see some cows! We city folks don’t get much of that back in Malaysia – especially when it’s JUST beside your house!
From being brought up as a city girl, to loving it as a country woman – what a transformation for MissYap in the past 3 years.

The cows were not impressed with us pointing our “black boxes” at them, but aren’t they cute looking at you??

Grant’s car was PRETTY full by the time we got 5 people’s luggages (3 traveling internationally) – I wonder if he could see out of his rear view mirror! I hitched a ride up to Auckland airport to take my flight to CHC (then to KUL), Sze-Mien and Hoey were going to stay for a night in AKL and then going on to Rotorua, while the newly weds were flying out to Queenstown for their honeymoon.

I’ve NEVER been to this side of the domestic airport before. Honest!
It’s always been on the other side because the furthest I’ve flown from Auckland is Hawkes Bay. This is my first time flying right down to the South Island.

It was a big plane! And I had the row to myself! Thank you, God! (I have this toilet-phobia if I’m seated by the window and there are people beside me)
Again, pardon my excitement but for as long as I’ve been in NZ, I think this is my second time sitting on a bigger plan for a domestic flight. In Malaysia, this is pretty much the standard size – but here, it’s a bigger plane.

Rugby ball shaped chocolate biscuit.
The new safety instruction video (featuring the AllBlacks) is very entertaining, too!

Mount Taranaki? Mount Ruapehu?
I have no idea and I don’t know if I did miss the pilot’s announcement.

See?
There were no luggage wrap services in the domestic terminal in Auckland, so I had to check my bag in and pray that it would not explode. I really do need a new bag.
Thankfully they have a luggage wrap service at CHC.

Yeap, the place is pretty dead at night. I was wondering if there would be staff around when the time comes for us to board the flight. It was too early to check in, so I just hung about.

After checking in, found a nice quiet spot (before some other passengers found it and crowded the place! Bleh!). Our flight was delayed by an hour due to a medical emergency in KUL (passenger had to be sent to the hospital and his/her luggage had to be removed from the plane – took a while to retrieve it) and I asked the staff manning the coffee kiosk what time do they get to go home – “When you lot get on your flight” – sigh!
I know how it feels but it’s 10x worse because it’s not 8pm (for me at work), it’s 11pm! And our flight was supposed to leave at 1210am – now it’s further delayed to 110am! I hope they get penalty rates for their extra time.

I’m sooooo glad no one was sitting beside me. I got “conned” into thinking there was a gap between the two seats, that why I paid to choose that seat. I guess squeezing by ONE passenger is the lesser evil of squeezing by TWO passengers.

I have a very uncooperative body. My bodily functions get hyped up when I know it would be a hassle to get to a toilet.
If I have an aisle seat, I am fine.
If I have a window seat with no one beside me, I am fine.
If I have a window seat with passengers beside me – I need to go every other minute!
UGH! Hate it. I know it’s the stress and I work myself up to it but I can’t help it. Eeeek! So there. That’s my “toilet-phobia”. Not so much a fear of toilets but it’s a fear of not being able to get to one. Happens when I’m traveling long distance in a bus, too.

Uhm…in my daze I thought everyone had to fill this up. As in, EVERYONE. Don’t ask me why but I think the whole new experience (plus, it’s late yo!) of flying with a different airline also messes my mind up.
Turns out, hey! I’m a Malaysian citizen. I cruise right in, no forms needed.

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The weather has gone bonkers. It’s cold inside out and I’ve been using my little portable heater for the past 2 nights to keep warm in my room. I feel bad using it but the second I turn it off, the chill in the room engulfs me.

Poor MissLeong – I hope she is surviving the cold, especially when news say that there is snow in Auckland. This is also after she got held up at the airport. Her flight landed at 930am but she only got out near 11am – single, female traveling alone? Immigration no like.

I digress.

My anxiety is not because of the chill (well, maybe. How would you feel if you are faced with the prospects of frozen toes/legs?) or that one of my dear friends got held up at the immigration (been there, done that – got pulled aside when I came back from Australia last October because I was told my then-recently-renewed work visa has expired Made me feel like a crim even though it wasn’t my fault that they printed my sticker wrong)…but it’s because of a few things.
Okay, maybe two.
Okay, a few, now that I’ve started to list them in my head.

1. LiMay asked me to prepare a MOH’s speech. A speech?? In front of strangers?! Performance anxiety.
2. What if I forget to pack something? I think I’m more afraid of forgetting something for my gadgets/my gadgets themselves. Maybe it’s time to store the electronics away and not use them for the next 2 days so that they are ready in their bags/cases.
3. What if my flight gets cancelled due to weather conditions? It’s so unpredictable here these days. I need to fly out on time because I want to be there in time for my dad’s 60th birthday.
4. What if I forget my medication? Yes. There, I’ve admitted it. I’m on medication.
5. What if I get stopped at customs? Would having too many edible items (you can take me out of Malaysia but you can’t take the Malaysian out of me!) in my luggage put me into trouble?

Stress!!!

And they say holidays are relaxing and fun…

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This is how the plane is like to Whangarei – the Beechcraft 1900D

After what seems like forever (accompanied by thoughts, “Where are you taking me???”), we arrive at their new home!

Do you know why I’ve thought about “Where are you taking me???”

Regardless, FULL service bar. I could still surf the internet!
Sad to say that I only have 2 bars when at home in Hastings.

It was from this trip that Grant became my BFF – because even after 20 minutes of driving (talking/smiling/laughing), LiMay did not notice I did not have my upper braces. Grant noticed it when we got to his office.

Nando’s!
I know, it’s not anything to shout about but now we’re even. Napier has Starbucks.

Ah! Peri-peri, come to me!

FeR, LiMay

Thanks for dinner, BFF!

The day after, they had a house-warming/engagement party in the man cave. It was kind of awkward (for me, don’t know about LiMay) that while we were lazing about having breakfast, the men were outside working hard.

Some finger food that we are to be guinea pigs of – if it fares well, it gets into the wedding plan.
We nearly ran away with someone else’s order…

Slab cake!!!
Honestly, best cakes ever! If you ever need a cake for parties, be sure to get them. Cheap and cheerful (and yummy!).

Thawing the mini’s.

28th May 2011 – 3rd year in New Zealand! I was initially told no Fish+Chips but in the end we got them. I’m a sucker for (personal) tradition.

Took the opportunity to take a photo of me “working”.

Uhm, my guess is I’m not hired?

I didn’t get to snap any photos of the BBQ (it was so cold!) but I managed to snap the dessert table. They love their sweets!

$2.50/1.5kg of persimmons. Next best thing to free persimmons!

My fancy lunch (I really didn’t feel like having bread).

Lady of the house in her own kitchen.

Nom nom nom.

Yes, please use my camera.

One last snapshot before I go to the airport.

The next time I’ll be here is when they get married! Not too long now.

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Time flies when you’re having fun…

…and it’s okay to have gelato at 10am when you’re on a holiday!

Tamaknya, MissYap!

Someone else is eyeing my ice-cream…

Sulked when not given any.

Pretty things.

A pair of Mallard ducks.

Ducklings getting swim lessons!

Off they go!

Well done!

Sorry, can’t resist putting all their photos up! So cute!

Went for breakfast at this cafe (Zest Deli Cafe) I found on my Menus app. We’re guessing it’s pretty good since it’s filled with people – and we were not disappointed. Dare I say, even better than yesterday’s breakfast!

LiMay looking like my USB stick.

The bagel with eggs, bacon, tomatoes and avocado.

Pancakes with bananas and bacon. Mmmm…sweet and savoury.

Then we took a walk in the city’s park.

Overdoing the lovey-dovey…

Stumbled upon the rose garden. Pretty!

This one also pretty lah – positively glowing.

I thought it was a public toilet…why did I have to pay? Hmmm…

Couldn’t resist! One more for the road! We didn’t swim but just bobbed around and LiMay had to make doubly sure she doesn’t drop her ring because it was a tad bit loose.
Grant turned his car into a makeshift changing room because we couldn’t be bothered walking to the end of the road (to be fair it was a good 10-15 mins walk) to get changed – we did walk there to look for a toilet but didn’t bring our bags along the first time.

After a while, we reluctantly part ways. It’s been good catching up and just relaxing. One definitely need a “do-nothing” vacation once in a while.

The drive back soooo…free? No words to explain it.
The only downside was my shoulder got burnt from the ride home…and one arm is darker that the other.

Look ma, no blush!
Unfortunately, this was as sun kissed as I could get. No tan whatsoever on face.

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For the second year in a row, we met up during the NewYear’s holiday and this year it’s in Taupo! I can’t wait to hit the lake! I’ve always passed and looked at it longingly but there was either no time or it was too cold to get in. We are right in summer, so I am anticipating some water action.

Ah! The lovey doveys.

Their engagement is 3 days old.
No surcharges – yay!

A hearty breakfast to start the day.

Orakei Thermal Park, waiting for the boat to take us over.

For the life of me, I don’t know why I struggled initially to see what was “Li-fe-rings”…

Yea…it’s a hot day to be swimming, let alone swimming in thermal water. RIP frog.

Look at the steam. Thermal park on a hot sunny day…at least we’re not the only ones.

Hot spring algae – these are survivors, yo.

FeR and LiMay at a rest stop to take a breather and enjoy the view.

Somewhat of an overview of one side of the park. We saw a geyser in action (top right corner of this photo) while snapping photos.

Can you see it?

Is this clearer?

This reminded me of the time Poreiz took me hiking in HK…are we there yet???

Chilling at the opening of Ruatapu Cave.
Definitely cooler than at the top.

Random photo. Doesn’t this angle make me look like I’m a bag of bones? It’s deceiving!

Huka falls.
In this heat, you’d feel like jumping in!

Doesn’t it look inviting?

No?

You can even go on the Huka Jet Boat to experience Waikato River and the falls.

Time for us to take a dip.

This is what I’ve come for!

Conveniently behind our accommodation – it’s got a pebble shore instead of a sandy one like at the main town/visitor area.

The sandier bit were taken by swans. I don’t want to mess with them…

Wheee!!!
The water is cold and unlike the sea/ocean, you don’t get the sticky feeling when you get out of the water…but when we stood up, we had bumpy bums because those pebbles got into our swimming suits.

See how close they got to us!

We went back to chill by the pool after a while. Direct sun without any shade couldn’t be good for us.

Playing “Words with Friends” while waiting for our food…

Deep in thought… (wondering when the food is going to arrive)

It took a while for our food to arrive and the table behind us were served their mains before us (they arrived after us). We could hear the waitress explaining to that table that one of their cook or staff was sick and had to go home and she apologised for the wait.
When we asked why were ours taking so long, not only did we not get an apology, we were told (in a rather huffy tone) because we ordered a starter, the mains would come out after a certain time lapse. Uhm…we ordered only ONE starter just to taste your night’s special. You would think we’d like to have our mains within a certain time frame? I think we were there for two hours…and we only had 3 dishes. Ridiculous. It came recommended, too. If it was set up like a fine dining restaurant, fair enough, you would expect it. This place looked like your average family restaurant, why would one expect fine dining time intervals? So, no review or photos. Would’ve been happier going to BK for a chicken burger.

Drain grill in Taupo. Pretty!

Sunset by the lake.

Huh? Where’s my ring??

It is not fair that LiMay looks so nicely tanned and I still have a white face?!!

My scalp feels like it’s burnt. It hurts to even lie on a pillow. Ouch!

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Hoping to get some cheap/free tickets for my holiday next year!

KK, Krabi, Singapore…possibly HK?

The question is, will I be able to wake up at 5am (12am Malaysian time) to start the hunt?

Updated – 9th November 2010 430pm
Wheeeee!
Woke up at about 510am to start my hunt. Managed to look up prices of tickets but the server was so jammed up that it was slow – or it would drop the connection suddenly and then I would have to try again. When I finally decided I would take the HK tickets (I didn’t know then that it was the cheapest at RM74/way – just thought it was cheap enough then), the server kept timing-out on me when I got to the purchasing of baggage part!!! Grrrr!

Instead of biking to work, I decided to walk so I could keep on trying on iPheR…and it keeps timing-out at the same part. I gave up when I reached the main area of HeretaungaStreet. I thought I’d just go into work and try on the PC.

Long story short – I finally got my ticket to HK (although all in all, it cost me RM313 for the return fare)…and KK…and Krabi! It’s going to be a busy September next year! I decided to take the bus/coach to Singapore instead. I think that’s enough of flying around for me.

When I paid for my HK and KK trip, felt a pinch because it seems quite expensive at RM435 (that’s a lot of money if I was working in Malaysia!!) but felt instantly better when I converted the amount to NZD and it was somewhere about $180. Ah! Looks so much better.

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Last day in Whangarei. I will miss the en suite bathroom…oh! LiMay, too.

Woke up earlier to have a bit to eat (leftover cake and bread from Friday) before going to church. Of course, squeezed in some time to strike poses. *heh!*

Just your ordinary morning on the deck.

Mistress of the house.

“Oooo! Her custard twist looks nice!”

The faithful one playing the organ.
LiMay said, “Wait until the end of the service before you snap a photo!” I was tempted right in the middle of service.

One of the favourites – Caffeine (cafe).

Hot chocolate for LiMay and a mocha for me.

I thought the lighting was flattering for the skin.
*vainpot*

Hearty brunch – which I couldn’t finish…but looking at it now, I wish I could have some!
Would you have guessed that my platter is called “Cholesterol Assault”?

I mixed up my departure time and instead of being there 30 minutes before departure, we only got to the airport at 20-25 minutes before departure. Sorry LiMay!

The drama started when they couldn’t charge my card at Overland (and I found out on the plane that they have Overland in Napier – WHY did I ever doubt Napier?!) and in the end LiMay had to pay for the boots first. Then we went home to grab my bag and found out that I remembered the WRONG departure time) *eeeeeks!*
The stretch before the airport has got a lower speed limit and if I miss my flight to Auckland, I will also miss the one to Napier…so I was worried (an understatement because if I miss those flights, I have to return the boots to buy my tickets back home! RETURN MY BOOTS??!! )

Anyway, when I got to the airport, the staff did not even blink an eye or said anything. Wow! Really laid back. I saw this family of 4 that checked in 15 minutes before departure and there was no fuss. No, I’d still stick to the 30 minutes before departure in the future and make sure I get my times right. Check them the night before I leave and not half an hour before I leave. *hehe*

Good times!

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Now, before this, I never knew LiMay goes grocery shopping every weekend at the market…as in a literal morning market. I go to the supermarket. I’m lazy to get up on my day off just to get in early enough in order to not miss out on milk.

Here I am, early in the morning (with a promise of getting some food!) at the market with LiMay.

I brought some BKT sachets and LiMay thought of making BKT tonight when we get back from Auckland (we didn’t want to drive in the dark so we decided to go early, leave early) – we got some ribs from the market.

One of LiMay’s favourite stalls.

This is an example of hungry person=grumpy person.

“This better be good.”

I think this is LiMay’s – lemon+sugar?

He threw the burnt crepe away – itulah, jangan borak masa kerja.

I had to wait for my bananas+cream. I got cream on the front of my jacket. Typical! Had to borrow LiMay’s cardigan…and shoes…and handbag. *heehee*

Here we go!
Make sure my glasses are on so I could see the road signs. Else I’d be of no help.

The rainbow followed us from Whangarei to Auckland.

We’d be there soon.

Hello rainbow! Hello Auckland!

The only place I know for dim sum, don’t know if LiMay knows any other places apart from here but she knows how to get here – so no complaints.

We got here just in time for brunch. The restaurant we’ve been to (which we went around Viaduct trying to find!) was closed, so we went to GrandHarbour (follow the crowd). We thought we may have to wait since it was a Saturday and we didn’t have reservations – we sailed right through! Maybe it was easier sitting two people.

SiewMai and PeiDanChuk….ahhhh!

*glee!*

Scrutinizing the SiewLoongPau…

Yea, it’s a bit dry and hard. Look, the skin didn’t even move when I picked it up – it retained its flat bottom. If it was in HK or Malaysia, I’d be really disappointed but this is for someone who hasn’t got (or found) a dim sum place in Hastings/Napier – “YAY! SIEWLOONGPAU!!!”

“Please scram after 1 hour!”
*hehe*
To be fair, their restaurant was packed.

The finale of our brunch.

You could see the flurry of excitement…

…also here!

Gembiranyaaaa!

Day trip half done, peace.

Getting to Dressmart. That is the only destination this time (thus the day trip do-able)

Serious, kan?
Took the wrong turn…

Die die must get bubble tea – if you notice, it’s dark outside already. There goes BKT.

Parking ticket from Saturday lasting till Monday 822am. *hehe*

Bye Auckland! See you next time.

These are NOT all mine. Honestly.

Since we didn’t get to have BKT, LiMay asked Grant to get us some takeaways – NoodleCanteen.

“If you don’t clear this up, I will beat you up with FeR’s camera.”
No, I’m joking. That conversation did not take place.

NoodleCanteen but such proper set up.

LiMay’s baking!

Finishing touch – the sugar/lemon glaze.

Notice the left hand?
Photo slanted and I didn’t correct it – let’s focus on the mistress of the house, instead. GoodHousekeeping making sense now.

Gembiranyaaa, take-2.
I told LiMay must have eyes closed one, else it’s not “happy” enough.

Forgot to take butter out to room temperature but I thought it still came out yummy. Mmmmm!

Time flies when you’re having fun – I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon (that’s the latest I could get on the special fare) but I’ll see them again in July when her family comes to visit.

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